Five transmission towers collapse in A’Ibom after vandalism

Five transmission towers along the Ikot Abasi-Eket 132kV Double Circuit Transmission Line in Akwa Ibom State have collapsed following extensive vandalism, the Transmission Company of Nigeria has said.

TCN said the damage was discovered on August 9, 2026, during a routine joint patrol of the transmission line by its linesmen.

According to the company in a post shared on X on Friday, a preliminary assessment showed that critical structural bracing members had been removed from Towers N9, J4, N10, N11 and N12, causing the towers to collapse.

“Preliminary assessment indicates that critical structural bracing members were removed from Towers N9, J4, N10, N11 and N12, resulting in the collapse of five towers,” TCN said in a statement signed by its management.

The company said further inspection revealed that structural members had also been removed and stolen from seven other towers along the same transmission corridor.

It identified the affected towers as J3, N8, N13, N14, N15, N18 and N19, warning that they had been structurally compromised and could collapse.

To mitigate the impact on electricity supply, the network has been reconfigured to prioritize supply to Ekim transmission station, leaving Ibom Power as the only station without supply,” TCN said.

TCN said it was mobilising an urgent intervention to reconstruct the affected sections of the transmission line and restore the network to normal operation.

The company added that security agencies had been notified to support investigations and prevent further vandalism along the transmission route.

“We condemn this act of sabotage and reiterate our commitment to working hard to maintain a robust and reliable national grid,” the company said.

TCN urged relevant stakeholders and security agencies to remain vigilant as efforts continue to protect critical electricity infrastructure and prevent further disruptions to power supply.